South Africa collapses | Restoration is non-negotiable

[Nat Quinn]

South Africa finds itself at a critical crossroads. As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA), TLU SA is making a serious appeal to him to move away from the ANC’s ideological agenda, the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), and instead focus on practical solutions that put the country and its people first.

The ANC’s policies over the past three decades have caused serious damage to the country. South Africa is reeling from an economy teetering on the brink of recession, massive unemployment, a rising crime crisis and total collapse of service delivery at local level. President Ramaphosa must show whether he has the courage to act as a statesman and actively tackle the problems that are holding our country back.

South Africa urgently needs affirmative action – not for politics, but for progress.

TLU SA believes that the following aspects are critical for South Africa’s recovery and that they should receive immediate attention:

1. Crime Prevention and Security: South Africa is in the grip of crime, which not only threatens citizens’ security but also deters investors. Farm murders and violence are a disgrace that must be actively addressed by creating an efficient and professional police force that is truly in the service of communities. The current failure to combat lawlessness only reinforces the feeling that the government is no longer able to maintain law and order.

2. Restoring confidence in the economy: The state must stop placing unnecessary restrictions on entrepreneurship and private businesses. Policies such as land expropriation without compensation and the amendment of property rights only cause uncertainty and discourage investment. President Ramaphosa must prove that he understands that a thriving economy is only possible if there is policy certainty and real support for businesses.

3. Corruption and state capture: Corruption destroys any possibility of progress. Cadre deployment, which has led to the malfunction of almost every government department, must be terminated immediately and expert persons must be appointed on merit. The public’s trust in government can only be restored through transparent, efficient and accountable management of public funds.

4. Infrastructure repair: Eskom’s unreliability and inadequate infrastructure are not only holding back economic growth, but also threatening the country’s basic functioning. Private participation in energy supply and renewable energy projects should be encouraged. Without stable energy supply, no economic progress can be made. Effective expert actions must be launched to get our road network system in the country back to such a level that it can serve as a support for economic activities, unlike what is currently being experienced.

5. Education and skills development: South Africa needs an education system that focuses on economic literacy and the development of practical skills. Young people need to be equipped to be part of the solution, rather than being left to a future without hope by a dysfunctional system. The role of education as the key to sustainable development cannot be overemphasized.

6. Service delivery at the ground level: Local governments are inefficient and corrupt. Communities and the private sector are taking over more and more responsibility for basic service delivery, while government’s centralist control is constantly failing. Service delivery at the local level needs to be decentralised and people need to have the ability to manage their own communities.

7. Agriculture and Food Security: The sustainability of the agricultural sector is essential for economic recovery and food supply. Government policy must be supportive and not put further pressure on the sector with impractical regulations and legislation, such as the Land Reservation Act. Agriculture must be treated as a national priority – not only for food security, but also as a significant contributor to employment and economic growth.

8. Unemployment and job creation: President Ramaphosa needs to analyse and acknowledge the real reality of South Africa, and clearly set the course for success. Success means economic growth, which will be the foundation for job creation, which in turn will address unemployment and immediately give people hope for the future. The policy environment is at the heart of all these aspects. Start at the beginning, rethink the approach, and adjust the policies. Only then will the necessary changes follow, and South Africa will begin to experience the recovery.

President Ramaphosa, do you remember the oath you took to serve the country and its people? The question remains whether he will have the courage to move away from the ANC’s self-destructive ideology and instead put South Africa’s welfare first.

We call on him to provide measurable and actionable solutions that truly address the problems of our country. The time for empty promises is over. South Africa needs leadership that is willing to make the difficult choices – not in the service of a political agenda, but for all the people of this country.

 

SOURCE: South Africa collapses | Recovery is non-negotiable – TLU SA

 

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